Saturday, June 06, 2015

My desire with every book I write, every story I tell, is to
bring readers to a deeper understanding of God’s love, and his grace. Hopefully
they see something in one of my characters that speaks to them, and helps them
in that way.

Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?

The day our first son was born, for sure. We had tried to
have a baby for four years. We’d gone through a lot of infertility testing,
meds, all that. And we just didn’t know if we would ever have children. So,
when I found out I was pregnant, I was afraid through much of the pregnancy,
still not knowing what the problem had been. When Zach was born, I fully
understood what a miracle he was!

How has being
published changed your life?

Holding a book in my hands, with my name on it, has been a
lifelong dream. It still feels unreal. But the thing that is the biggest
blessing, and the most FUN is to hear from readers, about how they enjoyed a
story, or learned something. It has just been very fulfilling and inspires me
to keep writing.

What are you reading
right now?

I actually just started a non-fiction book called Hiding in the Light, about a young
muslim woman who converted to Christianity. She risked everything and has had
to live her life in hiding because of that choice.

What is your current
work in progress?

Book #3 in my Days of Grace Trilogy is, Loving Tilly. The trilogy
wraps up, right back in the small town where it started. Readers will get to
see what has happened with all the original characters, plus be introduced to
Tilly Scott, a woman who has struggled her entire life with accepting love and
friendship. Her relationship with God seems very strong, but it’s works-based
because she really doesn’t think that even God loves her. The hero, Charlie,
who is someone I am having a blast writing, will help bring her around!

What would be your
dream vacation?

My dream vacation would be a trip to all the historic places
in the United States.
I am a very patriotic person. Our nation’s history fascinates me. I would love
to stand in some of the most important places in the history of our country.

How do you choose
your settings for each book?

I try to write what I know, so that it comes across as
realistic as possible. I’m a Northern California
girl. So far, that’s where my solo books have been set. With the novellas I’m a
part of, the settings were agreed on by our whole writing team.

If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

I have to go to my patriotic sensibilities again! I would
LOVE to spend an evening with George W. Bush, on the condition that he gets to
answer ALL my questions, classified or not, LOL.

What are your
hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I have always loved interior design. I also enjoy all kinds
of crafts. Sometimes I have so many ideas in my head of things to make or to
try, I have to remind myself that I need to write!

What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Procrastination. I think a lot of creative people tend to be
procrastinators. We like to create as the mood strikes. But I’m learning that I
have to set a regular word count per day, to make sure I don’t get caught
unprepared when a deadline comes.

What advice would you
give to a beginning author?

Just write. Whatever it is that’s burning in your heart to
get out onto the page, write it. Surround yourself with people who are farther
ahead of you in the process and learn all you can from them. And I tell
everyone to join American Christian Fiction Authors. I joined in 2004, and it’s
the wisest decision I have ever made regarding my writing.

Tell us about the
featured book.

The featured book, Finding Olivia, is book #2 in my
Days of Grace trilogy. It takes the character of Olivia, from book #1, and
follows her on her journey to Hollywood
in 1937, to become an actress. Olivia struggles with issues of abandonment and
feeling insignificant, unwanted. She thinks that becoming rich and famous is
the answer. Until she meets Nathan Grant, a young man who plans to be a pastor,
who struggles with guilt. It’s a story of God’s love for us, regardless of who
walks out of our lives.

Please give us the
first page of the book.

June 1937

With her right hand, Olivia Hawkins grasped the handrail of
the steps that led her from the train to her new life. In her left hand, the
suitcase she’d found under her father’s bed. In the suitcase, all her
belongings.

She stared in wonder at the sheer number of people at the Los Angeles train
station. Men in suits, carrying briefcases, rushing to places unknown. Porters
in their bow ties and caps, carrying as many suitcases as they could handle.
Flustered mothers desperately trying to reign in their children. People who
looked like tourists, studying maps and arguing over which direction to go.

The sights and sounds dizzied Olivia a bit. A warm southern California breeze blew a
wayward curl in front of her eyes, tickling her lashes. She swept it away and held her
hand to her stomach. Such flutters of excitement! Her eyes followed a nearby
palm tree, its full length, reaching up to the clear blue sky. She squinted and
shielded her eyes from the sun.

Someone nudged her from behind, nearly knocking her case
from her grip.

“Hey, kid, you gonna get off the train, or just stand there
and stare all day? Get a move on, I gotta be someplace.”

“Oh.” Olivia turned around to face the stranger. She bit her
lip to hide her intimidation, looking up at the man in a black suit and black
fedora. “I’m terribly sorry, sir. It’s just that I’ve never been to Los Angeles before.”

The man rolled his dark eyes. “Well, that’s great, lady. But
can you do your gawking after you get off the train?”

Olivia’s cheeks blazed at the angry stares and murmuring
behind him. She scurried down the train steps, mumbling another apology.

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I married a Youth Pastor who became a Senior Pastor so am always interested in romances and stories about Pastors. I like to read about strays coming back to Jesus, as I have 2 stray sons who I am praying for. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com